Let me on behalf of the government and people of Lagos State express deep appreciation to the Chairman, the executives and members of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter for keeping faith with this annual programme aimed at seeking divine intervention in the affairs of our State. I believe this yearly congregation is one of the major reasons for the progress and prosperity our State has continuously witnessed. I have no doubt that today’s service will usher in the presence of God as we reverence him in intense words and prayers.

There is nothing prayers cannot do in the lives of people who look upon the Lord and surrender their affairs in His able hands. In the book of 1Thessalonian 5:17, we are commanded to pray without ceasing After all, Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ started with prayer and ended with prayer.

‘Humility in Service’, the theme of this Divine Service says it all. John 13:1-16 where the theme is taken from demonstrates Christ’s complete love for his disciples knowing fully well that he would be betrayed, denied and deserted for a time by them. It also showed the humility of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is to tell us that as believers, we must exemplify Christ-like behaviour by loving and caring for one another. Above all, as Christians and leaders, we must show humility in service because it is a privilege to be called upon to serve.

I commend the Ministers of God for standing in the gap continuously to pray for the peace, progress and development of Lagos State and by extension, our nation. Without doubt, the prayers of the saints have been keeping us together as a people, and more importantly, it is the reason for the prevailing peace and prosperity we are enjoying in Lagos State even in the period of economic recession. I have no doubts in my mind that as we cry unto God today for a better and promising future for Lagos State, He will surely listen to our cries.

I seize this opportunity to appreciate the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Baba Aladura, Elder (Dr.) Israel Akinadewo and his team for the success of today’s Divine Service.

I urge us as brothers and sisters in Christ to live an exemplary live, worthy of emulation. As a government, we will always count on your support and prayers because without these, nothing much can be achieved. All that we have done in the past 32 months is to provide leadership with innovative ideas and passion to ensure significant improvement in the living conditions of our people.

We give glory to God for all that He has enabled us to achieve so far and the great things we look forward to in the near and foreseeable future.

Once again, I thank the entire members of C.A.N, Lagos State chapter under the able leadership of Apostle (Prof.) Alexander Bamgbola for your prayers and goodwill.

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday handed over a Mobile Cancer Centre for the diagnosis and treatment of residents afflicted with cancer-related diseases as well as increase advocacy to prevent the spread of the scourge.

State Governor, Mr. Governor Ambode, who spoke while handing over the facility to the representatives of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP), a nongovernmental organisation in the forefront of cancer awareness, at the Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja, said it was in fulfillment of his promise he made in June 2016 to join the fight against cancer.

He said the Mobile Clinic, the first of its kind in Africa, procured at a cost of N365million was a confirmation of the commitment of his administration to improve on the healthcare system and also give hope to residents who may not have the wherewithal to go for diagnosis and treatment.

“I want to thank the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP). Sometime in June 2016, they did ask me to support issues that relate to cancer, but we decided that we are going to procure this Mobile Cancer Centre.

The Mobile Clinic Cancer Centre handed over to the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 ​

“What we have that we are donating today to this Committee is a Mobile Clinic that deals with issues that relate to advocacy and treatment of cancer patients because we do not have the financial resources to have Cancer centres placed in all locations in Lagos we decided to go for this Mobile Cancer centre. It’s costing us N365million approximately $1million. What this does is that we can reach out to every community and every cancer patient; we can give hope back to those who are hopeless.

“On a day like this, we extend the commitment of the State Government to the people of Lagos to improve on our health system and also help those that never imagined that there would be hope for them because they have been afflicted with cancer and any other aliment that relates to cancer,” Governor Ambode said.

While congratulating the CECP for their tremendous passion in the campaign against cancer, Governor Ambode said the facility would go a long way to deal with the cancer scourge, adding that the long term plan of his administration is to have e-mobile centres across the State that would aid early detection, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

“I have done this and it is the first in Africa if not in the world because it encompasses all other diagnostics that can bring about cancer and that’s why we are very proud to be associated with this project and we can also say that ultimately we should have e-mobile cancer centres placed all around Lagos, but we just feel by this gesture we would reach out to everyone who have been left behind in the community.

“The operations of this particular unit would be supported by us and then we would support the daily running to ensure that it is on the road everyday looking for cancer patients to bring them back to life. You can imagine the amount we have spent, it is just to bring hope to the hopeless and bring back to those who really need it,” the Governor said.

Earlier, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris said in a period where communicable diseases like cancer were fast becoming epidemic, the donation of the Mobile Cancer Centre was a direct response of the present administration to provide a stop-gap.

In her remarks, Executive Secretary of CECP, Dr. Abia Nzelu thanked Governor Ambode, saying that the gesture was a testament to the Government’s love for Lagosians as the donation was also coming on February 14 celebrated worldwide as Valentine’s Day.

“We are indeed grateful for the generosity you have shown and the love and passion you have shown towards the good people of Lagos State, particularly with regards to this cancer menace. We are particularly that this is happening on a very special Day. Today is known as Valentine’s day; a day set aside to celebrate love and indeed, you have shown that to the good people of Lagos in particular and indeed to Nigerians in general,” Nzelu said.

She said the Mobile Cancer Centre, the first of its kind in the world and fitted with digital equipment, would tackle the double burden of communicable and non communicable diseases with specific focus on cancer.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday urged residents of the State to come out and register for the National Identity Card scheme being administered by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), saying compliance would enhance proper planning and facilitate national development.

Speaking at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja after registering for the scheme, Governor Ambode said it was important for people to register for the scheme, as such would go a long way to scale up data planning and financial planning, as well as boost the delivery of democratic dividends to the people.

He said: “I have just finished registering myself as a very proud Nigerian; I am very proud to hold this identity card and I also urge all Lagosians to do the same. We are proudly Lagosians and we are very proud Nigerians.

“So, I urge every Lagosian to come out and get their national identity cards. It is in our best interest and it is also good for data planning and financial planning for all the things that we are trying to deliver to our people. So, I urge everyone to come out and register.”

Earlier, NIMC Regional Coordinator for Lagos, Mr Kayode Adegoke commended Governor Ambode for leading the registration process and for the massive infrastructural development across the State.

Lagos State Governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (left), being presented with his Temporary National Identification Number slip (NIN) by the Lagos Regional Coordinator, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Mr. Kayode Adegoke (2nd right) at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Wednesday, February 14, 2018. With them are Head of Service, Lagos State, Mrs. Folasade Adesoye (2nd left) and State Coordinator, Lagos West, NIMC, Funmilola Opesanwo (right

Adegoke, who presented the transaction slip confirming the Governor’s enrollment into the National Identity Database, said the NIMC was proud to be associated with the State Government to deliver on the scheme.

Giving details on the other processes to complete the registration, Adegoke said: “After this, the system will generate an eleven digits unique national identification number similar to what is obtainable in the developed world.

“That unique number is your identity and NIMC will provide assured identity which is the second token. After that, the unique general multi-purpose electronic identity card will also be presented. The card has about 16 outlets and about 18 security features.

“With this sir, we want to thank you (Governor Ambode) for what you are doing for us in Lagos State; we want to thank you for the work you are doing and we like to assure you that we will partner with the State Government to ensure the progress of the State,” Adegoke said.

The National Identity Card Scheme is being administered in Lagos in partnership with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA).

President Muhammadu Buhari is among dignitaries listed to discuss the strategic importance of collaboration among key institutions to national development at the first Lagos-Kano Economic and Investment Summit.

The summit, which is scheduled to hold at the Jubilee Chalets, Epe, Lagos, between February 28 and March 1, 2018, is to focus on thematic areas such as security, governance, ease of doing business, agriculture, tourism, internally generated revenue, education and infrastructure in key areas of power, transportation and urban waste management.

Aside President Buhari, other lead discussants at the summit are the Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi; Oba of Lagos, HRH Rilwan Akiolu; former National Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega; development expert, Professor Pat Utomi, among others.

Addressing a joint press briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa on Tuesday, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the summit and Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade said the summit was specially designed to create awareness on the investment climate and policy thrust of both Lagos and Kano State Governments, as well as create a platform for dialogue for potential investors, with the overall objectives of national development.

He said the summit will also offer opportunity to share emerging investment ideas with the target audience and engage both states’ un-utilised and under-utilised resources toward efficiency and prosperity.

According to Ashade, “Globally, inter-state and regional partnerships are fast becoming benchmarks and leading practices for economic growth and development. Equipped with this knowledge, the Governments of Lagos and Kano States, under the visionary and able leadership of their Excellences – Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje respectively decided to take a leading role towards maximizing the unique comparative and competitive economic and investment opportunities of both States.”

Giving reasons for the summit, Ashade said it was common knowledge that both states share peculiar history and pedigree in demography, economic viability and leading roles within each of their respective geopolitical regions.

“We both have the highest population and cosmopolitan spread in Nigeria, while I make bold to say that, the performances of the two States in areas of economic reforms, improved their business environments and contributed significantly in boosting Nigeria’s “Ease of Doing Business” Global Ranking from 169 to 145 for the year 2018 as measured in 2017.

“This Summit, the first of its kind in sub-saharan Africa, signals the first phase in the journey towards a long-lasting partnership between the two States and promises to help boost economic development and foster national unity amongst others. Hence, the choice of the theme “States Partnership as a tool for Sustainable Economic Development” for the Summit,” Ashade said.

He also disclosed that adequate measures have been firmed up to ensure that the summit is not another talk show, hence the decision to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two states during the summit, designed to seal and sustain the partnership.

“The Governments of Lagos and Kano States are optimistic on the outcomes of this Summit in terms of Sustainable National Development and hope that the ensuing collaboration will offer a constructive case study for other States of the Federation to emulate by looking inwards and developing blueprints for their own inter-states collaborations that will propel them towards achieving economic sufficiency.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Technical Committee for the summit from Kano, Dr Shamsudeen Usman Lagos and Kano States had a lot of similarities and differences, and that the summit was designed to bring both to the fore with the overall objectives of learning from each to foster mutually beneficial positives.

Usman, a former Minister of National Planning, said there have been instances in the past when Kano had understudied Lagos in areas such as governance and internally generated revenue, and that the summit would focus on such areas with the aim of playing them up for the people’s benefits.

The summit, which will be periodic, can be registered for at www.lagoskanosummit.org, while other members of the public can follow discussions through the social media handles.